Eagles hire Tom Gamble, son of former Eagles president Harry Gamble

Howie Roseman didn't take credit for hiring Tom Gamble as Eagles vice president of player personnel Wednesday, but he wanted to.

It was impossible for Roseman to contain his enthusiasm for the guy who for all practical purposes is in charge of having his back, if you will.

Gamble is considered one of the most tenacious, experienced, hands-on talent evaluators in the NFL. He interviewed for a handful of general manager jobs in the offseason.

The 49-year-old son of former Eagles president Harry Gamble has spent more than half of his life in the league in a variety of capacities Roseman considers vital to the process of evaluating players.

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"He's got incredible experience," Roseman said on a conference call. "He's a guy that's seen it all. And he's been around some great people. So to have someone in the building right next door to me that I can go to and talk to about certain situations or the way maybe I'm thinking about something and get his experience and his perspective in the building is invaluable. We have other good people on the staff. We have that expertise. But I'm excited to have him next door and be connected to his office and go from there."

Gamble gives the Eagles 25 years of know-how in the college and pro personnel departments. He got his start with the Eagles in 1988 and served in such capacities as college scouting administrator, area scout, contract negotiator and director of pro scouting.

Gamble exited after Jeffrey Lurie purchased the team in 1994 and Gamble's father helped the new ownership transition.

Tom Gamble knows the league and the Eagles inside out, his knowledge dating to the days when they worked and played in Veterans Stadium.

"He's got exceptional experience both on the college and the pro side," Roseman said. "He's been on the road. He's developed relationships with people on college campuses across the country. He's also been in the office. He's been pro director. He's dealt with the coaches. He's done advance reports. He's been part of successful, winning organizations."

The San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets all interviewed Gamble for their general manager jobs.

The Eagles interviewed Gamble for a front office job last season but the timing wasn't right for either side.

Gamble spent the past eight years with the San Francisco 49ers, the last two as director of player personnel. The 49ers reached the NFC championship the last two seasons and most recently advanced to Super Bowl XLVII. The latter two teams produced a total of 18 Pro Bowl berths.

"I think it speaks to his passion for this city and this fan base," Roseman said of Gamble. "I think he is about Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Eagles. Obviously that's important to him. He's not an ego guy. He wants to be part of building something and building it with the Philadelphia Eagles."

"I would like to thank Tom for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the past eight seasons. He has played an instrumental role within our personnel department, and is a true professional in every sense of the word. As a friend, I will always appreciate the relationship we have, and wish him and his family all the best."

The Eagles left the VP of player personnel position open last year when Ryan Grigson exited 1 NovaCare Way to become general manager of the Indianapolis Colts. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year the Colts made the playoffs with rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, the first overall pick in the draft. No one would be surprised if Gamble becomes the next Eagles VP of player personnel to become a general manager.

Roseman didn't use the absence of another football voice as an excuse for the Eagles' performance last year, saying it wasn't a factor in the draft that left Lurie raving about Roseman's evaluation skills. Having Gamble on the team just two weeks before the scouting combine should enhance the evaluation process. Roseman applauded the 49ers for letting Gamble leave at this date, which is rare in the NFL.

"To have Tom going forward and to have him in time for the combine and the offseason, it's extremely exciting," Roseman said.

Gamble worked with the Jets after leaving the Eagles in 1994, serving as defensive assistant-quality control coach in 1995-96. He spent one year as a pro scout with the Baltimore Ravens and worked as a college scout under president Bill Polian with the Colts from 1998-2004.

Gamble has been part of 11 playoff teams -- five with the Colts, four with the Eagles and two with the Niners.

The Haddonfield, N.J., product is a 1987 graduate of High Point and earned a master's degree at Rowan.

Gamble's father was Eagles president from 1986-95, as well as a head coach at Penn and Lafayette before joining the Eagles in 1981.